The Legal 500 > United Kingdom - Solicitors > London > Oil and gas

Allen & Overy LLP fields an impressive energy and natural resources team with 'fantastic M&A expertise' and 'breadth of capabilities' throughout the entire life cycle of an asset, and particular depth in upstream and midstream oil and gas matters. Global managing partner Gareth Price is the go-to adviser for all energy sector participants on structured finance and corporate transactions. Other key partners include Andrew Castle, John Geraghty and Troy Edwards. Lorraine Bayliss has a notable reputation in international project finance and secured lending transactions, acting for both borrowers and lenders.

Ashurst's top-tier full-service oil and gas practice advises clients throughout the entire supply chain, including handling upstream and midstream, LNG, pipeline, refining and petrochemical mandates. Clients value its ‘depth of knowledge at all levels‘ and regularly instruct the team on M&A, project and corporate financings, project developments and dispute resolution. Team head Michael Burns and Julia Derrick ‘both demonstrate a high level of legal expertise‘. Elsewhere, Huw Thomas specialises in structured financing transactions, while Yann Alix leads the group’s energy resource offering in Africa. Senior associate Quentin Robinson is experienced in commercial transactions, project developments and the contentious aspects of operational oil and gas matters. The group has strengthened its global projects bench strength with the recruitment of Adrian Lawrence from White & Case LLP, Simon Moore from Simmons & Simmons and Matthew Wood’s relocation from the firm's Abu Dhabi office.

Clifford Chance LLP acts for an impressive roster of clients encompassing national independent companies, IOC majors and private equity houses. Alongside big-ticket transactions and international disputes, the firm also assists with construction and procurement arrangements, antitrust issues and environmental law. Practice co-heads Graham Phillips and Alex Panayides, as well as David Lewis, have a wealth of experience leading arbitration proceedings and complex transactions across the oil and gas value chain. Global head of the energy and resources practice, Russell Wells has over 30 years of commercial, corporate and finance experience acting in landmark transactions in emerging markets.

Dentons leverages expertise across the full-spectrum of oil and gas matters, with a strong ability to handle complex matters across several jurisdictions, particularly in Africa, Asia and the Eastern Mediterranean. Core areas of expertise include regulatory work as well as project developments, financings, corporate transactions and high-value contentious claims. Charles Wood is a renowned figure for commercial and regulatory advice pertaining to LNG projects. Danielle Beggs and David Tennant co-head the 'very well put together, cooperative and commercially minded' group, which recently recruited Greg Hammond (from Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP) and Paul Doris (from Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe (Europe) LLP), strengthening the group's transactional capabilities in Africa and Latin America.

DLA Piper is praised for its depth of expertise across the oil and gas value chain, from exploration and production matters to midstream and downstream projects. Practice co-heads James Carter and Philip Chong have an outstanding record in international arbitration and litigation proceedings in the oil and gas sector. Andreas Gunst is particularly recommended for work involving cross-border gas pipelines in Europe and the Middle East. Project finance expert Nacim Bounouara and transactional specialist Tracey Renshaw joined from Ashurst and Clifford Chance LLP respectively, in early 2019. Charles Morrison joined Ernst & Young Global Limited in mid-2020.

Latham & Watkins leverages its top-tier expertise to handle matters across the full life-cycle of a project, from exploration work to post-production, development and regulatory matters. Clients range from private equity houses and NOCs to banks and oil majors. Team leader Simon Tysoe specialises in upstream, midstream and downstream oil and gas M&A, joint ventures, restructurings and project developments. John Balsdon, Craig Nethercott, Kem Ihenacho and Clement Fondufe have all been involved in major projects across the Middle East and Africa. Matthew Brown is recommended for project developments and project finance work in Latin America and Australia.

Milbank is well placed to advise on country-first transformative projects, such as the $4bn financing of the SNE deep water oil field located within the Senegalese portion of the Mauritania- Senegal-Guinea Bissau Basin. Other core areas of expertise include LNG-to-power projects, M&A transactions, restructurings and financings. Leading the 'exceptionally talented' team are Manzer Ijaz and Matthew Hagopian, both with a strong profile in the oil and gas and LNG spheres. John Dewar has a wealth of experience acting for financial institutions on the financing of cross-border projects in the Middle East. Clive Ransome and associate Kilian de Cintré are also highly recommended, as is associate Munib Hussain in the petrochemical and Islamic finance sector.

White & Case LLP has impressive expertise across all major legal disciplines in the oil and gas sector. The group, under the leadership of Philip Stopford, is also involved in the largest multijurisdictional transactions and projects, including the first-ever reserve-based lending transaction in respect of Trident Energy’s $1bn acquisition of the Pampo and Enchova oil fields in Brazil. Jason Kerr, Mark Castillo-Bernaus and Mukund Dhar are highly regarded project finance lawyers, representing commercial banks, export credit agencies, sponsors and developers in emerging markets. Other standout partners include David Baker in the upstream sector, Allan Taylor for M&A and equity capital markets deals, and Mark Clarke for high-end energy disputes.

The oil and gas team at Akin Gump LLP is co-led by John C. LaMaster and Justin Williams and impresses with its ‘knowledge, experience and ability to turn things around quickly‘. LaMaster is a seasoned expert in all aspects of upstream, midstream and downstream oil and gas work and also handles electricity generation, biofuel, chemical and petrochemical matters; while Williams handles litigation. The practice significantly bolstered its capabilities in late 2019 with the addition of transactional corporate and private equity partners Shaun Lascelles and Simon Rootsey from Vinson & Elkins RLLP, and Weyinmi Popo from Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe (Europe) LLP, who specialises in Africa-focused transactions and investments. Julian Nichol is also noted for project finance mandates.

Bracewell (UK) LLP has a strong level of expertise in oil and gas developments in emerging economies across Africa and Latin America, as well as upstream oil and gas M&A transactions and joint ventures in the UK. Key partners in the 'outstanding energy team' include practice head Jason Fox, who has over 30 years experience as an energy finance lawyer; and Adam Blythe for project developments, commercial arrangements and cross-border transactions, often with an African-focus. Other recommended individuals include Nina Howell for LNG sector work, Oliver Irwin for project financing matters, and transactional lawyers Darren Spalding, Alastair Young and Eimear Murphy.

Clyde & Co LLP is a 'practical, value-for-money and solution-oriented' firm, which is respected for its oil and gas transactional work and experience in landmark disputes in emerging markets across the CIS region, Africa and Asia. Energy litigation and international arbitration are key areas of strength, led by group head David Bennet alongside David Leckie and Mark Walsh; the team's contentious offering was also bolstered by the recruitment of Mary Anne Roff from Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP. Elsewhere, Michael Wachtel and Philip Mace advise on cross-border corporate transactions, financing issues and commercial agreements. Stephen Jurgenson joined from Winston & Strawn LLP in late 2019.

Fieldfisher has a notable reputation in handling complex large-scale oil and gas projects throughout Europe, MENA and Latin America. Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP's former head of energy Paul Stockley joined in late 2019, enhancing the group's client base in the E&P sector. Stockley leads the practice; corporate finance lawyer Dominic Gurney-Champion and international arbitration advocate Simon Sloane are also highly recommended.

Hogan Lovells International LLP is highly active in project financing, development and transactional issues, as well as licensing and regulatory matters. The team, which is led by Ben Sulaiman, is regularly instructed by a diverse range of clients including global energy majors, financial institutions and investment funds on upstream oil and gas project developments and midstream transportation arrangements. Kieron O’Callaghan and Ben Hornan are the lead partners for high-profile claims and arbitration proceedings in the energy space.

Linklaters LLP's oil and gas team, which is collectively led by Daniel Tyrer, John Pickett and Chris Staples, has substantial experience in advising on project financings, developments and corporate transactions across Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa. The firm is also actively involved in legistlative developments, advising the Oil and Gas Climate Initiative on the Clean Gas Project, set to be one of the first projects in the new Carbon Capture and Storage Initiative. Other key partners include Mark Russell, Matthew Keats, Owen Clay and Fiona Hobbs.

Norton Rose Fulbright is well regarded for its 'extensive experience in various jurisdictions' and 'commercial acumen' in the oil and gas sector. The team demonstrates particular depth in the LNG arena, and is regularly involved in the construction and operation of LPG infrastructure, LNG terminals and LNG-to-power plants. Nick Prowse focuses on upstream and downstream matters, while group head Rob Marsh and Madhavi Gosavi are project finance specialists.

Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe (Europe) LLP has recently expanded its oil and gas and energy infrastructure offering with the recruitment of project finance specialist Evan Stergoulis and his core team from Watson Farley & Williams LLP as well as transactional partners Simon Alsey and Ravinder Sandhu. The arrival of Ed  Lukins from Cooley (UK) LLP also further bolstered the team's capabilities in M&A and capital markets activities in the oil and gas sector. Global practice head James Atkin regularly acts for Asia-based clients on substantial projects, LNG sales arrangements and corporate transactions. Edward Humphries, Mark Beeley and associate Rebecca Downes are also of note.

Shearman & Sterling LLP fields a 'very creative and commercial team' led by Iain Elder, and has strong capabilities in traditional project finance issues, leveraged finance work and oil and gas M&A in emerging markets across Africa and Asia. Sanja Udovicic and Anthony Lepere advise financiers, borrowers and sponsors on a variety of financing arrangements. Global head of finance Nick Buckworth leads the London project development and finance group, while John Inglis has a strong background in handling the development and financing of power plant projects and refineries in Africa and the Middle East.

Vinson & Elkins RLLP handles the full range of issues across the entire oil and gas production chain, from upstream transactions and pipeline arrangements to downstream LNG work and day-to-day operational support. Group head Alex Msimang has a strong focus on M&A transactions in the upstream sector, especially in Africa, while global projects finance head Nabil Khodadad is advising SOCAR GPC on its proposed development and financing of a greenfield gas processing plant and polypropylene petrochemicals facility in Azerbaijan. Andrew Nealon is experienced in EPC contracts, offtake and supply arrangements, process licensings and project financing work. Counsel Alistair Wishart and senior associate Nadine Amr are noted for energy infrastructure projects and corporate transactions.

Haynes and Boone CDG, LLP's practice, under the leadership of Glenn Kangisser, has expanded its bench strength in the energy sector with the recent recruitment of Rob Patterson from Vinson & Elkins RLLP, who brings over 25 years of experience in energy-related projects and transactions. The firm also retains a strong offering in offshore drilling matters and exploration and production work. Corporate partner Anna Nerush is also of note, as is William Cecil and Melanie Willems for high-end energy disputes. Associate Phoebe Anderson is recommended for commercial contracts.

King & Spalding LLP acts for leading sponsors, lenders and government clients with notable depth in M&A, corporate and project development work in the upstream oil and gas sector. The practice also fields experts in the LNG sector, with notable expertise in handling LNG export and import projects in Europe, Africa and further afield. Martin Hunt and Nikhil Markanday are the key figures in the London office and are supported by an extensive international network of energy specialists across multiple jurisdictions.

Bob Palmer and Robert Hamill jointly lead the team at Mayer Brown International LLP, which focuses on cross-border M&A. fundraising issues, projects and commercial contracts in the oil and gas space, particularly in the upstream sector. Key clients include household oil, gas and energy companies, mid-caps and start-ups, as well as service companies, banks and government organisations. Palmer and senior associate Tom Mallalieu advise on significant development projects in the upstream and midstream sectors in emerging economies.

Stephenson Harwood is praised for its strong LNG and offshore practice, advising multinational and state-owned oil companies, traders and offshore contractors on subsea pipelines and offshore infrastructure construction projects, private and public M&A, fundraising issues and ancillary matters. Marc Hammerson heads up the team, which includes Rubin Weston, who has a notable background advising on financings in Russia, Eastern Europe and other emerging markets.

Addleshaw Goddard's national energy team is a key name among national and independent oil companies, mid-stream companies, private equity investors and financial institutions. The firm has recently won new mandates in the international upstream oil and gas arena with the arrival of Rory Connor from King & Spalding LLP, who joined alongside Martin Stewart-Smith from Bracewell (UK) LLP and former Pinsent Masons LLP corporate finance partner David McEwing, who heads up the Aberdeen team. Leeds-based Richard Goodfellow and John Emerton are highly recommended, as is Angus Rollo in London. Guy Winter departed to Fasken in late 2019.

Bird & Bird LLP handles all stages of oil and gas developments, from pre-exploration issues through to exploration, appraisal, development, operation and decommissioning matters. As chair of the international energy and utilities sector group, Matt Bonass specialises in public and private M&A, private equity matters, venture capital work and equity capital markets transactions. The wider practice also includes capital markets and corporate finance lawyers Clive Hopewell and Nick Heap.

Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP assists oil and gas clients across the full supply chain with issues ranging from upstream exploration and production mandates and oilfield services issues to midstream transportation work, trading and marketing matters and downstream distribution work. Robert Pitcher and Jubilee Easo co-head the team, specialising in corporate transactions, flotations, projects and joint ventures. Greg Hammond departed to Dentons.

Paul Airley and Nigel Gordon jointly lead the energy and natural resources department at Fladgate LLP, which has a strong focus on handling corporate matters for global energy clients, in particular M&A transactions, financings and capital markets work. David Robinson focuses on multijurisdictional projects, financings and transactional mandates.

Ince has particular expertise in assisting contractors in the offshore oil and gas industry. Group co-heads Chris Kidd and Gillie Belsham are both highly adept in the offshore sector, particularly in matters involving the construction and operation of vessels and floating platforms, and energy disputes. Alexander Janes, who leads the EMEA team, joined from Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe (Europe) LLP, strengthening the group's capabilities in complex cross-border energy and infrastructure projects in emerging markets.

Focusing on corporate transactions for clients listed on the Main Market and AIM market, Kerman & Co handles public and private M&A, debt and equity financings, disputes and commercial contracts. Joan Yu, Una Deretic, and group head Peter Kohl are well versed in cross-border M&A, venture capital matters and capital markets transactions in the oil and gas space.

Memery Crystal LLP draws on its extensive cross-departmental expertise to handle corporate and equity capital markets transactions, with particular expertise in listings on AIM and the Main Market, secondary fundraisings and dual listings. Nick Davis and Michael Dawes are both highly regarded natural resources ECM lawyers with experience working in complex emerging markets.

Morgan, Lewis & Bockius UK LLP has notable expertise in advising developers and lenders on oil and gas projects, corporate transactions and international financings. The group was recently bolstered by the arrival of Ayesha Waheed and Jennifer Josefson, who joined from Latham & Watkins and King & Spalding LLP respectively. Practice head Bruce Johnston and Olivier Chambord make up the core team.

Squire Patton Boggs has recently expanded its energy capabilities with the addition of Peter Stewart from Clyde & Co LLP in early 2020, who added his extensive experience advising national oil companies and state entities on upstream oil and gas infrastructure projects in emerging markets to the practice; he is also well versed in exploration and production agreements, gas supply arrangements, financings, petroleum regulations, farmouts and international arbitration proceedings. Ian Wood and Trevor Ingle jointly lead the group, which also includes Ben Holland, who is an experienced advocate in multinational energy disputes.

Norwegian firm Wikborg Rein is predominantly focused on the energy, offshore and shipping sectors, often with a Norwegian law angle. The firm demonstrates strength in the regulatory aspects of the oil and gas industry, project development matters including FPSO projects, corporate transactions, oil service contracts and decommissioning work. Managing partner Chris Grieveson, Jonathan Goldfarb, who specialises in the development and finance of offshore energy projects, and LNG expert Renaud Barbier-Emery are the key figures.

Womble Bond Dickinson (UK) LLP recruited new practice head Matt Lewy from Baker Botts (UK) LLP  in early 2020, following the departure of Paul Stockley to Fieldfisher. The firm has substantial expertise in M&A, investments, joint ventures and financing transactions across the Middle East, Africa and North America, while also being well versed in North Sea and onshore shale gas operations. Simon Hewes, Alex Hirom and Anna Soroko are the other key figures in the team.